Q: At the end of summer are you unhappy about the amount of work and water your lawn requires? Or, are you wondering what will fill your vegetable bed when the squash vines are ripped out?

A: No, we’re not recommending that you tear up your lawn and plant vegetables, although that might be a solution for problem lawns. Instead, come to the Master Gardener Advice to Grow by presentation Saturday, September 17, to get some answers to both questions.

The session will offer a seminar on turf replacement plants featured in the demonstration at the Garden of the Seven Sisters. Gardeners hoping for sustainable ground covers will learn about eight different kinds of ground covers/grasses that take little water or mowing and are disease resistant and amenable to foot traffic. And they look good, too! The ground covers are planted in 3 different blocks, which will all be on three different irrigation schedules in the future. These grasses may be mowed to resemble lawn or left unmown for easy care. Four of these turf replacements are native to California and four are chosen from other Mediterranean climate areas. All provide attractive alternatives to a conventional lawn. Fall is the best time to plant these new ground covers. As your vegetable garden winds down summer production you may wonder what vegetables you should plant next – or perhaps you’re planning a season of rest and wonder how to put the vegetable garden to bed for the winter. Another section of Saturday’s presentation will focus on vegetables, showing what winter veggies can be started or planted now. It will also describe the list of chores for fall in the vegetable garden. The free Advice to Grow By presentations are held from 10-12 at 2156 Sierra Way in San Luis Obispo. Come prepared for changeable weather and bring a chair if possible.

Got a Gardening Question? Contact the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners: at 781-5939 from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday and Thursday; at 473-7190 from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays in Arroyo Grande; and at 434-4105 from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday in Templeton. Visit the UCCE Master Gardeners Web site at groups.ucanr.org/slomg/ or e-mail mgsanluisobispo@ucdavis.edu

I own property near the mission that used to have a lawn in front. (many years ago). Obviously you can not water a lawn of this size economically or for that matter ecologically. I talked to one gardener who suggested a low water solution but it would still increase my water bill from the base. Is there a ground cover that requires no watering that would low good?

Hi Larry,
During the first year, you will need to water to get the roots established. Our rainfall varies greatly from year to year, so there may be times that you would need to supplement water during prolonged dry seasons, of course there are variations of water needs from species to species, plus it's also affected by your soil type. I'm assuming you have clay soil, if you are near the San Luis Obispo Mission? Here's a link to our website on drought tolerant/ low water requirements lawn alternatives. Here's our link:
http://ucanr.org/sites/mgslo/Demonstration_Garden/Turf_Alternatives/

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